The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-12-03
BOYS AND GIRLS.

"A Few Hints That Children VIII Do Well
to Heed-Why Not BE Helpful and Po-
lite at Home?
There are hundreds of bright boys and
girls, who are just beginning to sec
that they can do great deal to make
those around them happier. They are
doing some helpful things without be-
ing asked, and they think of the COM
fort of others us well as their own
l know some of these young folks,
and find it a pleasure to see them
growing manly or womanly. Instead
of thoughtlessly asking for every thing
for themselves, they are thoughtfully
giving much help to Others When
this change begins at home it brightens
things there wonderfully. But some
boys and girls change in their manners
and their demands upon every one eX-
cept their mother. They fail to be po-
lite, thoughtful and considerate toward
the one who would be most pleased to
receive their courtesy. Instead of n
polite reply when asked to 90 on an
errand there is protest and, perhaps,
a sharp order to: Get the basket quick
or won't 90 at all!'' When some re-
quest is denied they answer: "Oh you
never care whether | have any thing"
or, Il think you are just as mean
as any thing =" or you Just
want me to have horrid
time, know" uttered in tones so dis
agreeable that even an unfcelng post,
if spoken to in such a way, might be
forgiven if it jumped from its place and
started after the speaker
''Mother knows | don't mem it."
they say, only half ashamed, if some
one tells them it is not kind. But if
they could realize how these things
they "do not mean" pain their moth
ers, and how rude they are, the words
and tones would be changed.
Some boys and girls find it especially
hard to do promptly what they are told
to do, and must be asked over and
aver. They are not so impolite as to
pay no attention to a call for little
help from even strangers; why then so
uncivil to their mothers? 1t is a habit
that is good only to be rid Of for there
is a pleasure in responding quickly and
cheerfully when asked to help, and in
being ahead of the call, too, without
waiting to be asked, or reminded to do
things that have to be done every day.
These slow girls and boys do not real
ize how 1t tires those around them to
nrge them to begin every thing they do.
''Pd rather do the work myself ten
times over, if could, than have the
children around in the kitchen, ="
mothers often say, and they meant it,
for the children, instead of quietly do
ing as they are told and being a real
help to the mother who really needs
them, get their fingers and noses into
every thing in the closets, and on the
shelves, upset things and waste them
and insist upon making the cake, work
ing the butter or doing some other thing
beyond their skill, and frowning and
fretting if asked to do some simpler
work. This isn't help at all. it is the
most troublesome kind of hindrance
If your mother tells how very busy
she will be, and you answer eagerly,
''let me help YOU" do be as good us
your word. Help her. and do it in her
way or it will not be help at all. Don't
criticise every thing you work with,
nor demand something different. Don't
call the dish-cloth horrid, the knives
dull, the table too little, the broom too
heavy and the kitchen too hot, or your
mother will soon be too much tried to
endure your help any longer She may
sigh and say nothing, if you say that
she never lets you help. but in truth
she would be pleased indeed with real
help from you, but the worry and trou-
BILE you make cancel all your help and
leave some trouble over to add to her
own work.
Another way in which boys and girls
sometimes fail in the treatment of their
mothers, is by borrowing from them
without asking to do so, and forgetting
to return the things taken away.
Scarcely any thing escapes these young
borrowers, the fire-shovel, the brooms,
the sharp knives, iron spoons, scissors,
thimbles, thread and great variety of
other things, from II cake-pan to pair
Of stockings. And when these things
are wanted the borrower has forgotten
that he ever had them until they are
,ound where he Cor she) left them.
They would be heartily ashamed to
treat neighbours wife so, but entirely
,orget to be as thoughtful and consid-
crate of the things belonging to the
mother, who, though she may scold,
iorgives and overlooks their many
iaults and failures, loves them with all
ner heart, and is made glad by every
tttempt they make to please her The
IONS and daughters who do the most
or their mothers, who show every
courtesy to her that they would to
strangers, will not do too much. BE
thoughtful for your mothers comfort,